ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday said that Iraq’s newly elected Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and political forces want to “turn a new page” with Erbil, noting continued efforts to resolve outstanding disputes with Baghdad.

A high-level Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation met with the Iraqi premier in Baghdad on Wednesday, with oil exports and other outstanding issues discussed during the meeting.

“What we [the KRG] heard from both him [Zaidi] and political forces was encouraging,” Barzani told reporters, asserting that “they want to turn a new page” and move toward a solution for existing issues.

“We have insisted on the implementation of the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region, and the financial entitlements” of the Region’s residents.

The KRG delegation was headed by the Kurdistan Region's Minister of Natural Resources Kamal Mohammed, accompanied by representatives of oil companies that operate in the Region, and attended by the Iraqi foreign minister, oil minister, and army chief of staff.

Following the talks, the Iraqi premier suggested that the KRG increase oil production and help alleviate the economic consequences facing the country due to the regional unrest. In turn, Barzani emphasized the KRG’s efforts in taking the initiative and assuming an impactful role in helping Iraq’s economy.

Iraq exported nearly 100 million barrels in February before the US-Iran war started, generating $6 billion. The number dropped to 18.6 million barrels and just shy of $2 billion for March, following the maritime blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, through which Iraq exported most of its crude oil.

Kurdistan parliament reactivation

In continuation of his remarks, Barzani emphasized the importance of ending the government formation stalemate in the Region, encouraging all sides to act in the interest of the Region and “set aside personal interests.”

He further noted that the will of Kurdistan Region’s voters must be taken into consideration, stating that reactivating the parliament is “the right of the people of Kurdistan.”

“The [political] representatives must be honest with their voters; to return and activate the parliament, this will be a good step for the next phases,” the premier said.

The Kurdistan Region held parliamentary elections in October 2024, and the elected lawmakers were sworn in during a session in December of that year. However, efforts to hold subsequent sessions have failed due to not meeting the legal quorum.

The KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) emerged as the main parties from the October 2024 elections, gaining 39 and 23 seats respectively. The two parties have since engaged in unsuccessful negotiations over forming the next KRG cabinet.

The KDP has routinely blamed the PUK for making unreasonable demands and hindering the formation of the Kurdistan Region’s next government.